Featured Image Credit: DPPI Media / Andrew Orchard sports photography / Alamy
Topics: Football, Wales, Qatar, Football World Cup
Tom Wood
Topics: Football, Wales, Qatar, Football World Cup
A Welsh football fan has passed away whilst following his team in Qatar at the World Cup.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) confirmed that Kevin Davies has died after he'd travel to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup with his son.
The rest of his family has been notified.
Wales supporters group Fan Embassy Wales released a statement that said: "Unfortunately we have lost one of the Red wall yesterday in Qatar, our sincere condolences go out to his son here in Doha and his family back in Wales. May he rest in peace."
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The FAW also issued its own statement that said: "Our deepest condolences from everyone at the Football Association of Wales.
"Our thoughts are with Kevin’s family and friends at this sad time. The FAW is in contact with Kevin’s family to help in whatever way we can."
FAW chief executive Nole Mooney tweeted: "So sorry to hear that one of our Supporters has passed away here.
"Our condolences go to the family and of course we are here to support however we can."
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The 62-year-old from Pembrokeshire was in Doha with his son and some friends at the time of his death, which is believed to have been from natural causes.
According to reports from BBC Wales, Mr Davies died on Friday and was not present in the stadium for his team’s 2-0 defeat against Iran in their second Group B game.
Mr Davies’ family are being offered consular assistance from the UK, as well as the Football Supporters’ Association Cymru, a group that is providing assistance to fans in Qatar during the tournament.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office said it was ‘supporting the family of a British man who has died in Qatar’.
Wales were defeated by two late goals from Iran yesterday, meaning that they will now need a fairly miraculous turn of events to get out of their group.
That will include beating England on Tuesday in their final group game.
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After goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off for a rash challenge, Iran scored two goals in stoppage time to take a victory that reignites their hopes of qualification.
Wales are in a group with England, Iran and the United States, having drawn 1-1 with the United States in their first game.
They will face England at 7:00pm GMT at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan.
It is not yet known whether they will pay tribute to Mr Davies before or during the game.